Pregnancy Complications: Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a blood pressure disorder that can occur in pregnancy, especially in first-time mothers. Symptoms include higher-than-normal blood pressure and swelling in the hands and feet. Women with this disorder can experience headaches, visual disturbances and pain in the upper abdominal area.

Preeclampsia is potentially dangerous. If not recognized or treated, it can develop into seizures, stroke or can put the baby in danger of death by a premature separation of the placenta, which connects the umbilical cord to the mother.

When preeclampsia is diagnosed, we give the mother magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures. We also may give her medication to induce labor and an early delivery.